“We hear from secondary school principals that students’ mental health has been deteriorating in recent years. That’s why we prepared this survey as a first step to map the situation. Among other things, the survey revealed that students lack sufficient information about mental health and well-being during their studies. Nearly ninety percent of students would appreciate practical tips from experts on how to care for their mental health while studying,” commented Radek Schich, director of GTS Alive, on the survey results.

GTS Alive recently established the organization Alive Cares, which aims to support students specifically in the area of mental health. Alive Cares strives to increase student awareness regarding prevention and assistance in mental health, to reduce stigmas associated with mental illness, and to improve students' relationship with themselves.

Regarding the survey results, Martin Kašpar, principal of Gymnázium Na Pražačce in Prague, commented: “Student mental health has been one of the main issues we address at our school for several years. A significant number of students struggle with varying degrees of psychological and psychiatric problems that make studying difficult, hinder passing the graduation exam or other challenging tests, and in some cases directly lead to dropping out. This concerns a lower double-digit number of students, and addressing these issues is nearly a daily part of our work.”

The mentioned survey also included an open-ended question asking students what would personally help them better manage stress related to studying or their personal situation during demanding exam periods. Many students mentioned the attitude of teachers. They dislike that some teachers put excessive pressure on them, are not accommodating enough, do not understand them, and fail to coordinate test and exam dates among themselves.

Other students would appreciate more support from their families, instead of threats and reproaches. They would value generally less pressure and better access to psychologists, who are in short supply and not always easy to reach, according to the students.

Some students would welcome a change in the education system to one that relies less on grades and tests and focuses more on practical skills rather than only theoretical knowledge. In other responses, students focused on their own approach, saying they need to improve their study habits or learn not to stress as much over new tasks and subjects.

One student noted that it would help if mental health issues were excused the same way physical illnesses are, as many teachers allegedly do not consider mental illness a valid reason for absence. Another said that taking a rest day or talking through negative emotions with close people helps them deal with problems.

The anonymous online survey was completed by 897 students—holders of ISIC student cards—from across the Czech Republic for GTS Alive. Of these, 55 percent attend secondary schools or vocational schools, 42 percent attend universities, and the rest attend higher vocational schools.

Selected typical answers to the open question “What would personally help you better manage stress related to studying or your personal situation during a demanding study period?”:

(students’ answers are left in their original form, including typos and spelling errors)

"That no one forces me to study, support from teachers and parents, studying in groups or pairs."

"That society/school and family don’t pressure me. That people don’t joke about stress and say it’s “natural.” No, it’s not natural to have nausea or panic attacks just because a test might fail. And also to say that grades don’t matter when obviously they do."

"That teachers understand that studying is not easy and would help us instead of adding more and more assignments and tests."

"Maybe some time to rest. When a lot of tests are scheduled on the same day and all from every note (teachers refuse to coordinate), it’s hard. So some consideration from teachers, after all, we’re people like them."

"Longer winter exam periods, to know that I’m not just a number at school but that teachers care, mock tests, options to consult bad results, elective courses on psychosomatics, managing stress, destigmatizing these problems in society, longer exam times than one hour."

"More accessible information on where a student can seek help. Occasional emails recommending when it’s appropriate to see a specialist wouldn’t hurt. I would regularly notify at least students facing final exams."

"Not every teacher needs to say their subject is the most important; there could be fewer tests."

"If some teachers emphasized a humane approach to students and if schools could provide psychological care to all students, regardless of numbers."

"If teachers were properly trained on how to treat students to not make things harder and realized adolescence is tough and many students have mental health issues."

"If I were more positive or had a better home situation…"

"More specific advice, not just 'plan your week.'”

"Better access to psychologists; they are very busy."

"A kind, supportive, and understanding teacher who talks to students as people, not like products to be processed."

"The possibility to better schedule classes according to my time so I could work and have a personal life. That would reduce time and financial pressure and avoid having to attend classes when my body can’t function at its best (night owl vs. early morning)."

"Free or more affordable therapy options."

"I think it’s a good idea to establish study advisors/mentors who oversee groups of students and can be contacted about time management, doping, etc."

"We only have 5-minute breaks and one 20-minute break at school. I’d personally extend them to 10 and 30 minutes."

"School support, a safe environment, acceptance that it’s okay not to be okay. Not needing solutions but being heard."

"Later start times (at least 9:00 am), travel without long detours due to track work, more prep time (longer exam periods, deadlines until the end), longer exam times, plus better time management in studying and daily life."

"Psychiatrist, psychologist, family, friend."

"Respect for students—including those in elite sports who balance study and sport, which is very demanding. Some teachers don’t respect that."

"Teacher awareness. I visited the school psychologist for panic disorder. Sometimes during class, I’d cry, and after her report, many things changed. But it would be good if teachers had training on how to behave."

"More reassurance from those around us, support from teachers (in the final year we complained about how much we had in all subjects and how it was overwhelming, but teachers just shrugged saying it was the system)."

Notes for editors:
GTS Alive s.r.o. issues and manages ISIC student cards, ISIC Scholar pupil cards, ITIC teacher cards, and, to a lesser extent, other cards in the Czech Republic. The company was established in August 2000 as the successor to GTS International in the Czech Republic. GTS Alive s.r.o. is part of the international GTS Alive Group, headquartered in Prague, with branches in seventeen countries across four continents.

Through the ISIC PORT chip identification system, GTS Alive also provides access security and electronic attendance systems for numerous primary and secondary schools. Additionally, the company offers travel and accident insurance to students.

Alive Cares – an organization affiliated with the multinational GTS Alive Group, founded in 2021 to support students' mental health and overall well-being during their studies. Its goal is to provide and facilitate relevant information for students on mental wellness, managing stress, coping with challenging life events during their education, and to improve general awareness of these issues. Alive Cares aims to monitor situations at specific schools and gather feedback from students on how their schools could offer more support. The organization focuses on connecting students with organizations or professionals they can turn to in times of need.

For further information, please contact:
Jan Šimral, media representative of GTS Alive
Tel.: +420 737 944 370
E-mail: info@jansimral.com